Alpine Seats - original ?

[SierraNev]

Good morning,

Yesterday I got adventurous and pulled the drive seat out of my Series V. Since purchasing this car in late June, I have seen more and more bits of "stuffing" falling out of the seats. After gently taking them apart, I found the stuffing in the middle stuck to the seat cover and the edges brittle and rapidly turning to dust. The seat was butt sprung when I got it and has become considerably less comfortable.

I plan on a quick fix with some left over foam until I can decide on what to do with the interior.

I have attached photos of my progress. Does this look original? I think the board was added when the stuffing started to give out. It looks like a rubber mat was used to keep the bottom of the seat together.

Just wondering.

Thanks All

Emmett

 

[puff4]

The third photo down is a good photo of the original stuff, albeit falling apart. New foams and diaphragms are available. The diaphragms are a PITA to fit, but will improve immensely the comfort and height of the seat.

 

[puff4]

If you do plan to restore your seats, you might want to add heated panels at the same time. It's inexpensive and easily hidden (to keep things looking original) but make an immense improvement on top-down driving in cool weather.


My seats, before and after I restored them.


Adding the heating panels is a cinch.

 

[SierraNev]

Wow ! thanks for the info. You have obviously been down this highway before.

Where did you locate the foams and diaphragms? The heating element is a great touch, how did you hook that up?

A million more questions to follow

Emmett

 

[puff4]

Diaphragms and foams should be available through our usual Sunbeam parts suppliers. I bought mine 35 years ago, along with the Martha Wheat (aka ProPrep Interiors) covers, and only used them about 5 years ago. I tend to buy parts long in advance, under the assumption that it won’t be available when I really do need it.

As for the panels, it’s a bog standard set of Dorman panels - very inexpensive.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002U6IL9O/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

I hid the switches under the dash so you can’t even see the evidence unless you spot the wires coming from the seats. I attached the panels to the foams using Weldwood solvent-based contact cement.

 

[puff4]

One thing to check, though… thoroughly inspect the chair frames for cracks - it’s a common problem, particularly on the driver’s seat. Mine were fine, but I’ve seen a great many that are badly cracked. If it is cracked, a good welder can sort it for you, and perhaps insert some strengthening gussets.

Also, be careful removing the pivot screws - they are unique to these seats and not US thread. Get a proper sized (large) flat bladed screw bit and use that to remove them… and don’t lose them. Replacements are available, but few suppliers have them.

 

[alpine_64]

As kevin said the frames are often cracked on the rear squab at the base.. They also twist. This is from people leaning on them when they get in and out of the car.

Check they are not twisted.. And you can ads a guset at the lower joint to strengthen them.

 

[boss-tiger]

Anyone have a picture or diagram to show best place to reinforce seat back frame?

 

[Paul354]

Photo of a lower seat repair Driver side